The new world champions are back on track just one week after the World Championships in Val di Fiemme, when Lahti hosts eight FIS World Cup events in Ski Jumping, Cross-Country and Nordic Combined from 8th -10th March 2013.
The fans of Cross-Country Skiing will see more action on tracks than ever before during the modern Lahti Ski Games. On Saturday, new World Champions in sprint, Marit Björgen (NOR) and Nikita Kriukov (RUS), will meet a tough competition from the rest of the field - now in free technique. On Sunday, the home crowd of Lahti will have great expectations from Finnish athletes in 10 km (ladies) and 15 km (men) in classical technique on a demanding course.
“Sunday's competitions will take place on a new 5 km course with maximum total climbs allowed by the rules,” the chief of competition Juha Kolu explains. “On Saturday spectators will be closer than ever to the sprint course to enjoy the excitement and great racing,“ he adds.
In addition to FIS Cross-Country World Cup presented by Viessmann competitions spectators are able to enjoy five other events at the same venue. “Cross-Country Skiing is a very popular sport in Finland. We wanted to give people a unique experience to ski on the very same courses as the world’s best skiers. This year we have three new events, one for amateurs, one for kids and one for the best young Cross-Country skiers in Finland,” Event Director Jesse Kiuru says.
On Thursday, 7th March, an amateur relay is taking place. Open to public everybody can ski on the World Cup courses. After the relay the program continues with a dinner and entertainment in the VIP tent. In the morning of Friday, 8th March, a special Kids Race competition for school children in Lahti is on the schedule. On Sunday afternoon, shortly after the men’s 15 km, the ski stadium will welcome future Finnish Cross-Country Skiing stars, with a special youth relay competition for the best 14-16 year-olds from across Finland.
“On Thursday we seem to have very interesting names on the start of the amateur relay. Starting lists includes for example the four-time Olympic Winner on 5000m and 10000m in athletics Lasse Viren, a five-time Four-hills-Tournament winner Janne Ahonen and local heroes of Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Jouko Karjalainen, Tami Kiuru, Jari Mantila and Veli-Matti Lindström. Just counted that these six have won 41 medals in World Championships and Olympic Games,” concludes Jesse Kiuru.
Competition Program*
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Qualification 10:00 LOC
Finals ladies/men 12:00 LOC
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Ladies 10 km Classic 10:00 LOC
Men 15 km Classic 12:00 LOC
*Subject to change
Winners 2012
Ladies' 7.5+7.5 km C/F Skiathlon
- Therese Johaug NOR
- Marit Bjoergen NOR
- Heidi Weng NOR
Men's 15+15 km C/F Skiathlon
- Dario Cologna SUI
- Martin Johnsrud Sundby NOR
- Alex Harvey CAN
Ladies Classic Sprint
- Marit Bjoergen NOR
- Julia Ivanova RUS
- Justyna Kowalczyk POL
Men Classic Sprint
- Emil Joensson SWE
- Teodor Petterson SWE
- Nikita Kriukov RUS
More information
www.lahtiskigames.com and www.facebook.com/lahtiskigames
